Leg and foot support structure to be applied to tiltable armchairs

ABSTRACT

A leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs, comprised of a quadrangular rigid structure, said quadrangular rigid structure being lifted by means of feet; a pivotable quadrangular articulated frame for supporting the feet that is assembled on the front half and within said rigid structure; moving parts of said structure being operated by driving assemblies comprised of articulated arms connected and actuated simultaneously by a driving unit. An inner sliding frame composed of two quadrangular structures that slide over each other through articulated arms pivoted to the respective structures and to a rigid articulated frame that is angularly moved in order to be underneath a seat structure; said quadrangular structures start their relative slippage only after the articulated rigid frame reaches an end of its angular displacement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage entry of international, application No. PCT/BR2010/000403, filed Nov. 30, 2010, and claims the priority of Brazil Application No. PI 0909577-9, filed Dec. 18, 2009, the entire specifications, claims and drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention is directed to an improved leg and foot support structure to be applied to tiltable armchairs.

2. Introduction

Many different types and models of armchairs that are comprised of articulated structures provided with driving mechanisms for the seat, backrest and leg and foot support are already known and widely used. Generally, such mechanisms are operated by mechanical locks that, once released, provide the pivoting movement that change the initial position of the assembly into reclined positions and rotate the front of the furniture which is then turned into a support for the feet.

This conventional construction results in a first initial position, wherein the seat and backrest are in a normal sitting position and the leg and foot support is constricted. In a second position, the seat and backrest move forward and tilt, and the seat front rotates upward, thus forming the feet support. In some cases, there is a third position, wherein the backrest tilts a little longer so that a more relaxed position is attained.

In spite of being widely used, the tiltable armchair assemblies provided with such types of conventional mechanisms present a number of limitations and inconveniences in a more specific way and with respect to the feet support mechanism, as follows:

a) aesthetics: some conventional mechanisms are based on the use of the front of the seat as a support for the feet whenever it is struck upward. In order to use the extension of such surfaces as a support for the feet, such armchairs must have their front—and consequently their sides and back—extended to the ground, otherwise the surface designed for supporting the feet will not suffice, This solution prevents such armchairs from having a spacing below the seat line, which is the current trend in the armchairs designed nowadays. The consequence is that these armchairs are not elegant, besides the fact that the double function thereof is clearly shown, thus hindering its use in an, environment where the contemporary design is the preponderant factor when choosing the furniture.

b) ergonomics: the armchairs with such conventional mechanisms are greatly limited, therefore it may not be possible to attain a suitable ergonomic solution, that is, the physical limitation for a suitable length of the feet support.

c) visually and functionally: the conventional mechanisms are based on the use of the front of the seat as a support for the feet, when it is struck upward. The surface designed for supporting the feet is then fixed and sometimes insufficient depending on the height of the user. The conventional solution prevents the seat of such armchairs from being low, which is also a current trend in the armchairs designed nowadays.

SUMMARY

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs where they are practically and effectively actuated and handled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs that may provide a minimum spacing between the ground and the base of the armchair or sofa seat, thus providing the designer with a great freedom to create same. The object is to make it possible to create modern light designs that do not show the multiple functions of the furniture when it is in the closed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs that is kept constricted under the seat when inoperative and that is struck forward when in an operative position, thus attaining a bigger extension than the one usually attained, so that it may be used by taller people.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs of a simple construction concerning the parts that make out the support and driving system of the armchair and makes it possible to use different types of base for supporting the armchair.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs that is structurally portable without requiring complementary structures, and that is provided with a reduced number of moving parts, thus reducing the whole weight of the assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved lea and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs that makes it possible to position the support for the feet in several different heights.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are realized by an improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs of the type comprised of a quadrangular rigid basic structure that comprises side beams that are transversally and longitudinally connected to one another by front and back crossbars, said quadrangular rigid basic structure being horizontally lifted off the ground by means of base feet that provide an apparent spacing between the ground and the horizontal base of the armchair; an articulated quadrangular frame previously provided with a second inner sliding frame that defines a pivotable feet support assembly that is assembled on the front half inside said basic rigid structure; all the moving parts that make out said structure being operated by specific driving assemblies comprised of articulated arms that are connected and actuated simultaneously by a driving unit, According to the present invention, the improvement is based on the provision of a system having articulated arms connected to a sliding structure that are sized in such a way that it is possible to reduce the height of the seat without hampering the final length of the support whenener it is extended; the provision of a supplemental articulated structure that promotes a bigger extension of the support for the feet, starting from the sliding structure, that is replaced by another one that is comprised of two rails instead of one, said second rail housing a system of articulated arms that actuate the second structure from the time the system moves beyond a threshold point in relation to the ground and starts to advance in relation to the first structure.

Still another object and advantage of the present invention consist of an improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs that makes it possible to change the angle of the seat when the armchair moves from an initial position, without an extended support, to a tilted position. It comprises a small structure that is connected to the seat of the armchair and is interconnected to the feet support system through a pivoting arm that is connected to the handle that actuates the feet support. When the handle is rotated to extend the support, the pivoting arm rotates therewith, thus lowering the seat.

It is understood that other aspects of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein various aspects of the present invention are shown and described by way of illustration only. As will be understood, the present invention is capable of other and different variations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a leg and foot support structure conventionally known assembled to the seat structure and a support base of a tiltable armchair; said structure being in its fully extended condition in relation to the seat structure;

FIG. 2 depicts another perspective view of a leg and foot support structure conventionally known assembled to the seat structure of a tiltable armchair; said structure being in its fully extended condition in relation to the seat structure;

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the improved leg and foot support structure to be applied to tiltable armchairs, said structure being in its fully extended condition and assembled to the seat structure which in its turn is assembled to the base that supports said tiltable armchair on the ground;

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 depict the same perspective view of the improved leg and foot support structure to be applied to tiltable armchairs, said structure being in different phases of partial constriction in relation to the seat structure which in its turn is assembled to the base that supports said tiltable armchair on the ground;

FIG. 7 depicts the same perspective view of the improved leg and, foot support structure to be applied to tiltable armchairs, said structure being in its fully constricted condition and pivoted under the seat structure which in its turn is assembled to the base that supports said tiltable armchair on the ground;

FIG. 8 depicts a view wherein the tiltable armchair support base assembly with the improved leg and foot support structure is disassembled, illustrating the possibility of assembling different support bases and support columns of different heights to the same armchair structure;

FIG. 9 depicts an enlarged perspective view of the support base structure with different support column sizes o be selectively incased between same and the base that supports said tiltable armchair on the ground;

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 depict enlarged detailed views of the pivoting system and locking rod that, when assembled to the side of the armchair seat structure, acts in conjunction with the leg and foot support structure to selectively set the height of the latest in relation to the ground and the plan of the tiltable armchair seat; and

FIGS. 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 depict enlarged detailed views of the electrically actuated driving mechanism of the improved leg and foot support to be applied to tiltable armchairs, said actuator being in different positions according to the constriction phases of the leg and foot support structure in relation to the tiltable armchair seat structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The improved leg and foot support structure applied to tiltable armchairs according to the present invention is realized in structures of the type defined in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a second inner sliding frame 20 b is slidably assembled from the seat structure 10, said second sliding frame having a maximum length equal to the length of the rigid quadrangular horizontal frame, said second sliding frame 20 b being provided with a front crossbar 23, and said second sliding frame 20 b moving parallel to the first frame 20 a, thus defining a pivotable leg and foot support assembly.

According to FIGS. 3 through 7, said inner sliding frame 20 is comprised of two quadrangular structures 20 a and 20 b that slide over each other through articulated arms 1 and 2 pivoted to the respective structures 20 a and 20 b and to an articulated rigid frame 20 c that is angularly moved in order to be underneath the seat structure 10.

The quadrangular structures 20 a and 20 b only start their relative slippage after the articulated rigid frame 20 c reaches the end of its angular displacement. Thus, when a bigger extension of the feet support is desired, the sliding structure 20 a and 20 b is provided with two rails instead of one, said second rail housing a system of articulated arms that actuate the second structure from the time the system moves beyond a threshold point in relation to the ground and starts to advance in relation to the first structure. See FIGS. 7, 6, 5, 4, and 3 in this sequence.

With this construction, a reduction of the height of the seat may be attained without hampering the final length of the support whenever it is extended.

FIGS. 3 through 7 also depict the driving mechanism, through handle 3, of the quadrangular structure 20 a and 20 b for supporting the legs and feet applied to tiltable armchairs. Said handle 3 makes it possible to change the seat angle, not illustrated, when the armchair moves beyond an initial position, without an extended support, to the tilted position. It is comprised of a small structure that is connected to the armchair seat, and is interconnected to the feet support system 20 a and 20 b through a pivoting arm 3 a that is connected to the handle that actuates the feet. support 3. When handle 3 is rotated to extend the support, the pivoting arm rotates therewith, thus lowering the seat. The purpose of this device is to assure that the seat will remain horizontally positioned when the armchair is in an almost standing position, and into an inclined position that is more favorable for the relaxation of the user when the backrest of the armchair is tilted and the feet support extended.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show that the quadrangular structures 20 a, 20 b and 20 c, either actuated by actuators or a handle, may be assembled to any type of support base 4.

This is attained with a sub-structure 5 connected to the sides of the feet support 20 a, 20 b and 20 c that carries orthogonally a central column 6 on the bottom thereof, which in its turn is connected to several, types of support base 4. Additionally, and in view of the possibility that this new system may provide a reduced seat height, coupling columns 6 a, 6 b, 6 c . . . , 6 n of several sizes may he provided, as illustrated in FIG. 9, therefore making it possible to create versions for users of any height. Also, a single column may be used, the height thereof being changed through an inner spindle.

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 depict enlarged detailed views of the pivoting system 7 and locking rod 8 that, when assembled to the site of the armchair seat structure 10, act in conjunction with the leg and foot support structure to selectively select the height of the latest in relation to the ground and the plan of the tiltable armchair seat 10. Thus, a connecting rod 8 with several notches 8 a is inserted between the system handles, in conjunction with a steel bolt 8 b that fits into such notches 8 a. When the driving handle is rotated, said connecting rod 8 fits into bolt 8 b in a number of positions, thus allowing the user to select the position that pleases him/her better. To turn the support back into the initial position, said connecting rod 8 is displaced upward by a spring, not illustrated, to let it free to return.

Finally, FIGS. 15 through 19 show an alternative command where the manual driving handle is replaced by an electric actuator AE. It moves back and forth in order to have the same course as that of the manual command, with the advantage of offering an unlimited number of height positions for the feet support. 

1. A leg and foot support structure applied to a tiltable comprising: a quadrangular rigid basic structure the sides of which are transversally and longitudinally connected to one another by front and back crossbars, said quadrangular rigid basic structure being horizontally lifted by base feet that provide a spacing between ground and the horizontal base of the armchair; a pivotable quadrangular articulated frame for supporting the feet that is assembled on a front half and within said rigid basic structure; moving parts of said structure being operated by specific driving assemblies comprising articulated arms connected and actuated simultaneously by a driving unit; an inner sliding frame comprising two quadrangular structures that slide over each other through articulated arms pivoted to the respective quadrangular structures and to a rigid articulated frame that is angularly moveable to be underneath a seat structure of the armchair; wherein said quadrangular structures start their relative slippage only after the articulated rigid frame reaches an end of its angular displacement.
 2. The leg and foot support structure applied to according to claim 1, wherein the quadrangular structures comprise two rails, wherein one of the two rails houses a system of articulated arms that actuate one of the quadrangular structures from the time the system moves beyond a threshold point in relation to the ground and starts to advance in relation to the other of the quadrangular structures.
 3. The improved leg and foot support structure according to claim 1, further comprising a driving mechanism of the quadrangular structures configured to enable a change in the angle of the seat, when the armchair turns from an initial position, without an extended support, to the reclined position.
 4. The improved leg and foot support structure according to claim 3, wherein the driving mechanism comprises a handle connected to the seat of the armchair, and interconnected to the quadrangular structures through a pivoting arm connected to the handle, and when the handle is rotated it extends the quadrangular structures, and the pivoting arm rotates in conjunction therewith, thus lowering the seat.
 5. The leg and foot support structure according to claim 1, wherein the quadrangular structures are actuated by actuators or handles which may be assembled on a support base, by a substructure connected to the sides of the quadrangular structures that carries orthogonally a central column on the bottom thereof, which in turn is connected to the support base.
 6. The leg and foot support according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of coupling columns of several sizes to adjust a height of the seat.
 7. The leg and foot support structure according to claim 1, further comprising an articulation system and locking rod that, when assembled to the side of the seat, acts in conjunction with quadrangular structures to selectively set a height in relation to the ground and the seat, said rod having several notches, in conjunction with a steel bolt that fits into the notches so that said connecting rod fits into the bolt in a number of positions when a driving handle is rotated.
 8. The improved leg and foot support structure applied to according to claim 1, further comprising an electric actuator for adjusting the height of the seat. 